pedir
Lemma Details
Translation: to ask for; to request; to order; to demand; to beg
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Pedir comes from Latin 'petere' meaning 'to seek, to aim at, to request'. This Latin root also gave English words like 'petition', 'appetite', 'compete', and 'repeat'. The core meaning of seeking or requesting has remained consistent from Latin to modern Spanish.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Te pido un favor.
I ask you for a favor.
Voy a pedir una pizza.
I'm going to order a pizza.
El niño pidió un juguete para su cumpleaños.
The child asked for a toy for his birthday.
Pidieron ayuda cuando se perdieron en el bosque.
They asked for help when they got lost in the forest.
No me pidas lo imposible.
Don't ask me for the impossible.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'pedir' as similar to 'petition' in English - both involve making requests.
- The 'ped' in 'pedir' sounds like 'paid' - you often ask for things you've paid for.
- Remember the stem change: 'pedir' becomes 'pido' (I ask), not 'pedo' - a common mistake for beginners.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'pedir' is used in many social contexts, from ordering in restaurants to making formal requests. The expression 'pedir la mano' (asking for someone's hand in marriage) reflects traditional courtship customs where a suitor formally asks the parents for permission to marry their daughter.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: This is a common misspelling of 'pedir'. 'Perdir' is not a Spanish word.
Confused word:
N/A (not a real word)
N/A
Notes: Many English speakers mistakenly write 'perdir' because of pronunciation habits.
Mnemonic: Remember: pEdir is for rEquesting, with an E.
Explanation: 'Pedir' means 'to ask for' while 'perder' means 'to lose'. They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
No quiero perder mi tiempo.
I don't want to lose my time.
Notes: Both are irregular verbs but follow different patterns of irregularity.
Mnemonic: PEdir is to request, PErder is to lose - notice the different vowels in the first syllable.
Explanation: 'Pedir' means 'to ask for' while 'medir' means 'to measure'. They have similar conjugation patterns as both are -ir verbs with stem changes.
Notes: Both verbs have the e→i stem change in certain conjugations.
Mnemonic: Pedir starts with P for 'please give me' (requesting), while medir starts with M for 'measurement'.